Simatech: Access to clean water through automated vending machines

Access to clean water is an issue that affects millions of people in Kenya. According to water.org, 19 million Kenyans are unable to obtain safe water. Furthermore, the organization asserts that only 9 out of 55 public water service providers in Kenya provide continuous water supply, which is particularly evident in urban slums and rural areas. Seeking to mitigate this problem is Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) client, Simatech Integrated Solutions.

One of the directors of the enterprise, Paul Kilambuga, had been working in the bottling industry as an electrical engineer for 12 years. He saw a need for a machine that could serve customers automatically without the use single-use plastics- while also dealing with problems in the water industry. In 2015, he came together with Nataline Olang, who had a background in business management, and Pascal Aloo, a mechatronic engineer, to begin build vending machines for water.

Through designing and manufacturing automated liquid vending machines, Simatech provides Kenyans in rural and peri-urban areas 24-hour access to water. Customers can bring their own reusable bottles or containers and fill them with 5-20 liters of water. As such, they can use the water both for drinking and for other household purposes, like cleaning and bathing. Each vending machine can be customized with features such as filters for the customers’ liking.

Water vending machines help Kenya environmentally, economically, and socially

One of the main environmental benefits of Simatech’s water vending machines is that they cut down on single-use plastics. Often times in Kenya, obtaining clean water means having to buy plastic water bottles that are only used once and subsequently thrown away. Through the vending machines, customers can use the same containers over and over again.

Simatech has also been able to create employment. In addition to their 4-person team, they utilize a 5-person fabrication unit for their machines.

Additionally, as their workshop is located next to a children’s center, the kids are able to come to their premises and learn about what they are doing. This allows the children to learn about water and environmental issues as well as get inspired about entrepreneurship.

Simatech gets incubation from Kenya Climate Innovation Center

Simatech became a client of Kenya Climate Innovation Center in 2017. When they arrived, they were still working on a prototype, but they have now reached validation phase.

Simatech has benefited from KCIC’s mentorship program, through which they have attended trainings on strategy development, branding and taxation. With regards to the latter, Aloo states that it was particularly eye-opening.

“The tax workshop really hit home. We learned how to make a list of our expenses and realized that we could enjoy some tax relief,” Aloo says.

Advice for young, female entrepreneurs

The Simatech team is quite young, with ages ranging from 22-34. Aloo advises young people who have an idea to just begin.

“We often have great ideas, but we think it takes a giant, fancy ceremony to let you know it’s time to begin working. But it starts with baby steps- a few pieces of code here, putting some metal together there, writing a proposal. All you have to is just start,” Aloo maintains.

Furthermore, Olang is an inspiration for other female entrepreneurs who might be intimidated entering into a male-dominated space.

“I would tell the ladies that the cake is too big- all of us can fit in this space,” she says. “It’s high time that we learn to share our ideas. We might actually be the ones to change the world, but nothing will happen if we keep sitting on it.”

“Ladies are also very strong human beings,” Olang asserts. “We go through many hiccups and challenges in life, including motherhood, but we just have to keep on moving and appreciate the process.”